Just a note on the title, while we are at it. Technically he would be running for the USSF (United States Soccer Federation) Presidency, not just for the USMNT. Don't forget about our world beating USWNT and Youth programs!
Can we make it a paid position? I mean not that he should be making Jim Delany, f*** you sort of money, but I do think it is reasonable for the USSF president to have some sort of salary for exactly this reason.
Agree. Tab can keep things running while we execute an actual coaching search for a world class international manager. I'd like to see this done under not-Gulati, but that might mean Tab is around for several months or a year as Gulati seems reticent to resign.
Totally agree. Wood has had a rough season in the Bundesliga with a crap team, but glad to see him sharp in this game. Yedlin is now a legit shutdown defender who can fly down in the attack or emergency defense. Zusi is a huge dropoff there.
Let's hope Arena calls these guys in for the January camp to get some of them cap tied, and hopefully integrate one or two into the team. Future looks bright. I also wouldn't sleep on some of the MLS kids, Jack Harrison and Tyler Adams being two I'd like to see more of. Harrison just got an England youth call up.
Nice to see Villafana get the nod again after the Honduras game. Hopefully he holds up in a tougher environment,
Not sure I like Jones as a starter in this match. Personally would have chosen Bedoya, with Jones as a spark off the bench if needed. Jones tends to go rogue at odd times, which might leave a lot of space for our makeshift backline to cover.
Chandler has been abysmal for the USMNT in his past appearances, especially in the tropical venues. Maybe not inviting him is one of Arena's discretionary changes. I'm ok with it.
Having so many defenders pick up injuries in such a short amount of time is always going to put you in a bind.
How much does the guy have to see before he is willing to make a change. JK might not even be good enough to get this (relative) bounty of talent thru to Russia. Two more years of this sounds awful.
Argentia is excellent at pressing. Their strength is in their attacking front 5-6. I would think that putting an attacking lineup out there would help to relieve pressure and push the focus to the middle third of the field. The best way to defend Messi is to deny him the ball in the first place, and that only happens if you can control midfield.
I think you throw caution to the winds, take the game to their end and hope you can get a fluky goal or two to offset their inevitable scoring. Then pray you make it to penalties.
It was a truly boneheaded move by Jones. You would think that a veteran leader like him would be able to control his reaction a bit more, especially given the advantage just given to the US at the time.
I would love to see Perry Kitchen get a shot. Hearts apparently loved this guy as a box-to-box type midfielder this year. He could be a good replacement for Jones. Obviously a lesser know commodity, but is certainly more mobile than Beckerman.
Are you doing Stronglifts 5x5? I'd highly recommend this for anyone looking to start weightlifting. It's a fairly approachable beginner regimen. You can literally start withe just the 45lb bar and work from there. Focused on the basic multi joint lifts.
Not sure who you had for this one, but having Ziff as a professor didn't help either. He loves thermodynamics, and most of the time it was like "get a room" between him and his chalkboard math. Way too much theory for me.
And yes, I'm pretty sure fugacity was some kind of messed up trust fall gullibility test.
EECS might give us a run for our money, but between the grueling lab classes (360, 460) and deep engineering theory (330, 344, 466), you pretty much got used to having your ass handed to you by the curriculum. Junior year especially was difficult.
I will second CHE 360. Insanely long technical reports, terribly written briefs on what you are supposed to study or answer, combined with the fact that some of the inevitable CHE dropouts are still in the class and you just might get partnered with one of them (shudder). That class broke me.
Obviously this is just first impressions, but there were a number of major busts in the running game, both letting running backs and quarterbacks drive thru gaping holes. Some of this may be LB related, some not. I also saw quite a few completions over the middle to TE's that could be on the LB's. Overall, I was hoping to see more.
I agree. The whole team looked a step better than last year's spring game. Lots of walk-ons and 3rd and 4th stringers showed today, but there was still quality in the ranks. Keep in mind that a good number of surefire starters didn't even play, and still we had a great game.
He's probably on a soul search because he turned in a great individual performance amidst a terrible script and overbearing direction. No way anyone walks away from this film remembering him.
BTW, for those who are USMNT fans as well, Matt Miazga is exactly the type of player that sees time in these games. He's one of the brightest young American talents in the world, so hopefully he's healthy and in the mix for this game (He plays for Chelsea).
Recent Comments
Just a note on the title, while we are at it. Technically he would be running for the USSF (United States Soccer Federation) Presidency, not just for the USMNT. Don't forget about our world beating USWNT and Youth programs!
Can we make it a paid position? I mean not that he should be making Jim Delany, f*** you sort of money, but I do think it is reasonable for the USSF president to have some sort of salary for exactly this reason.
Agree. Tab can keep things running while we execute an actual coaching search for a world class international manager. I'd like to see this done under not-Gulati, but that might mean Tab is around for several months or a year as Gulati seems reticent to resign.
Tab Ramos is the most likely, but very uninspiring pick.
More interesting picks in my mind:
-Tata Martino, who coached Argentina NT, and Barcelona and now coaches in Atlanta
-David Wagner, who is a former USMNT player and is coaching in the EPL
-Miguel Herrera just because it would be super entertaining to watch him on the sidelines
Hard fought point keeps us alive in 4th position in Concacaf. Going to need to buckle up for the next round of games and get some wins.
Shoot, with our height advantage we shouldn't be losing throw-ins to the box...
Puli!!! And Demps with the classic poach.
Zusi really blew that one...
Panama fouling quickly to disrupt rhythm. Good strategy so far.
Cagey first couple minutes. Villafana and Zusi getting tested early. Not good on the passing end, too many giveaways.
Nice to see Villafana get the nod again after the Honduras game. Hopefully he holds up in a tougher environment,
Not sure I like Jones as a starter in this match. Personally would have chosen Bedoya, with Jones as a spark off the bench if needed. Jones tends to go rogue at odd times, which might leave a lot of space for our makeshift backline to cover.
Doyle's write-ups are almost always on point. I'm expecting a much closer match tonight.
Chandler has been abysmal for the USMNT in his past appearances, especially in the tropical venues. Maybe not inviting him is one of Arena's discretionary changes. I'm ok with it.
Having so many defenders pick up injuries in such a short amount of time is always going to put you in a bind.
Pulisic, what a kid...
Team came to play. Overall a great half. A few defensive quibbles to fix out of the back, but some of that has to be that we are on option #7 at RB.
Dempsey muscles a shot off in the box. 3-0!! That was a mansome goal.
Bradley with the strike!! 2-0
Lleget looks hurt. May get Bedoya in as a sub... in the 17th minute. Damn.
Pulisic
GOOOAAALLLLLLLL
Pulisic drives at the backline and opens things up. Neat passing combo from gets Lleget an easy tap in.
Lineup makes sense to me, only major ommitance is Bedoya. Hopefully we have enough speed in the back to keep the quick Honduras attack at bay.
Excited to see Pulisic and Nagbe together on the field again.
How much does the guy have to see before he is willing to make a change. JK might not even be good enough to get this (relative) bounty of talent thru to Russia. Two more years of this sounds awful.
What the?
2-0. Might be more on the way. JK seriously needs to reconsider his strategy or lack thereof.
Subs? Do we have them?
No fluidity and posession in midfield and complete disarray on the back end. Lucky it was only 1 goal.
Pulisic with a nice feed, almost connected with Wood.
Glad we didnt decide to come out in a brand new formation at least.
Why is Jermaine Jones still starting? He is not fit enough to go 90 at this point, and Jurgen knows this...
Argentia is excellent at pressing. Their strength is in their attacking front 5-6. I would think that putting an attacking lineup out there would help to relieve pressure and push the focus to the middle third of the field. The best way to defend Messi is to deny him the ball in the first place, and that only happens if you can control midfield.
I think you throw caution to the winds, take the game to their end and hope you can get a fluky goal or two to offset their inevitable scoring. Then pray you make it to penalties.
It was a truly boneheaded move by Jones. You would think that a veteran leader like him would be able to control his reaction a bit more, especially given the advantage just given to the US at the time.
I would love to see Perry Kitchen get a shot. Hearts apparently loved this guy as a box-to-box type midfielder this year. He could be a good replacement for Jones. Obviously a lesser know commodity, but is certainly more mobile than Beckerman.
I agree that we need a two forward formation.
We learned our lesson in the last WC. Dempsey needs another strike partner to work effectively. Sadly, that is probably Zardes.
I think we may have had the same professor. 8 am timing for me didnt help either. Broken english with a hangover is a bad combination.
Not sure who you had for this one, but having Ziff as a professor didn't help either. He loves thermodynamics, and most of the time it was like "get a room" between him and his chalkboard math. Way too much theory for me.
And yes, I'm pretty sure fugacity was some kind of messed up trust fall gullibility test.
EECS might give us a run for our money, but between the grueling lab classes (360, 460) and deep engineering theory (330, 344, 466), you pretty much got used to having your ass handed to you by the curriculum. Junior year especially was difficult.
I will second CHE 360. Insanely long technical reports, terribly written briefs on what you are supposed to study or answer, combined with the fact that some of the inevitable CHE dropouts are still in the class and you just might get partnered with one of them (shudder). That class broke me.
Can we talk about BTN's coverage? Way to commit to 40% of a game and then walk away.
Obviously this is just first impressions, but there were a number of major busts in the running game, both letting running backs and quarterbacks drive thru gaping holes. Some of this may be LB related, some not. I also saw quite a few completions over the middle to TE's that could be on the LB's. Overall, I was hoping to see more.
I agree. The whole team looked a step better than last year's spring game. Lots of walk-ons and 3rd and 4th stringers showed today, but there was still quality in the ranks. Keep in mind that a good number of surefire starters didn't even play, and still we had a great game.
Lots of motioning on punts today. Harbaugh the younger seems to have a knack for trickeration as well.
Nice catch by Gentry there.
Yeesh, was that a bone sticking out of Malzone's hand? Gruesome
BTW, for those who are USMNT fans as well, Matt Miazga is exactly the type of player that sees time in these games. He's one of the brightest young American talents in the world, so hopefully he's healthy and in the mix for this game (He plays for Chelsea).